Domestic switch arrangement



May 3, 1955 w. LUDWIG 2,707,754

DOMESTIC swncn ARRANGEMENT Filed Feb. 19, 1952 3f If 70 United States Patent 2,707,754 DOMESTIC SWITCH ARRANGEMENT Wilhelm Ludwig, Dusseldorf, Germany Application February 19, 1952, Serial No. 272,480

Claims priority, application Germany February 26, 1951 1 Claim. (Cl. 307-114) switch system comprises a distributor or junction box which is portable and includes a plurality of plug sockets and means for its connection to the electric power supply, and a portable multiple switch unit including means for its connection to the junction box and a plurality of individual switches, whereby the plug sockets of the junction box can be selectively and separately connected to, and disconnected from, the power supply by operation of the respective individual switch. Diiterent colors may be applied to the different connecting plugs and associated switches for identification. a connection permitting one or more appliances to be selectively connected to, or disconnected from, the power supply from two or more separate switches, using the two-point control switch arrangement or the staircase switch arrangement. Here again, difierent color markings may be used to identify the corresponding switches and connecting plugs.

It is also contemplated to provide the switch arrangement in such a way that in case of operation of a switch arranged at a sick-bed and controlling a lamp, the switch 1 character, the distributor can be arranged so that the light cannot be turned on in spite of operation of the switch or that, when one of the ill persons has switched on the light, the other cannot switch it off.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and appear in the appended claim forming part of the application.

In the accompanying drawings two now preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

Fig. l is a diagram of a domestic switchgear having the invention applied thereto, and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of an alternative distributor therefor.

Similar reference numerals denote identical parts in the figures.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and first to Fig. 1, it will be seen that 1 denotes a plug re- It is also possible to provide In this case, it is advisable to 2,707,754 Patented May 3, 1955 ceptacle or plug socket attached to the wall, a two-pole connecting plug 3 being inserted in the socket. The plug socket 1 is connected to the power supply in a manner not shown. A conductor 4 leads from the plug 3 to a distributor 5 provided with lugs in the form of plug sockets 6, 7, 8, and 9, in such a way that the intermediate plug can be inserted into plug socket 6, the intermediate plug 11 into the plug socket 8, and the intermediate plug 13 into the plug socket 9, respectively. The plug sockets are connected to the two core conductors 14 and 15 of the cable in the manner as shown in Fig. 1, portable cables leading to various electrical appliances which are connected to the intermediate plugs 10, 11, 12, and 13. Thus, a cable 16 leads to receiver 17, a cable 18 leads to a fan 19, a cable 20 leads to a table or stand lamp 21, and a cable 22 leads to a cooking apparatus 23. A further lug 24 arranged on the distributor 5 serves to introduce or bring out the portable five-conductor connecting cable 25, while the cables 4, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are twin cables. The five-conductor cable 25 leads to the fourfold push-button switch 26, whose push buttons are designated 27, 23, 29, and 30.

It will thus be seen that by operating the push buttons 27 to 30 it is possible to operate any of the appliances located at any place, from the switch 26, irrespective of where the switch 26 is located according to the length and actual arrangement of the cable 25 or of the plug cable 4, respectively.

It is also contemplated to apply identical colors to the cooperating elements, e. g., cable 16 and switch knob 27, cable 18 and switch knob 28, cable 20 and switch knob 29, or cable 22 and switch knob 30, respectively, for identification of the switch knob or push button which has to be operated in order to operate the appliance connected to the cable of identical color. The intermediate plugs or the plug sockets on the distributor may be designated in the same way. Embossed or luminous marks or inscriptions may be used for such designation.

Fig. 2 shows the construction of the distributor 5 in case the appliances 17, 19, 21, and 23 are to be operated from two different switches 31 and 32. The distributor 5 corresponds to the distributor 5 as per Fig. 1 except that the connections are slightly modified and that two lugs 33 and 34 are provided for connection of a five-conductor cable 35 and 36 to each of the lugs. Where the switch arrangement is intended to be used for operation of appliances from three different points, there will be provided three lugs 33 or 34, and so on. Where eight appliances are to be operated instead of four, the distributor 5 will be formed with a corresponding number of plug sockets, so that the intermediate plugs leading to the eight appliances can be connected thereto.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to two now preferred examples and embodiments of the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A domestic switch arrangement comprising in combination a connecting plug adapted to establish connection to a plug socket forming part of the power supply system, at least two consumers of electric power adapted to be supplied through said connecting plug, a distributor for electric power to be supplied to the consumers from the connecting plug and including multiple socket means, an electric multiple conductor between the connecting plug and the distributor, further conductors between the distributor and the consumers, intermediate connecting plug means, said further conductors being electrically the, other pole of the connecting plug, said connecting plug, first-mentioned conductor, distributor and switch means forming a common interconnected portable unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Edison Aug. 22, 1882 Chabrand Aug. 22, 1893 Bailey Aug. 20, 1912 Hopgood Oct. 11, 1949 

